Inflated article



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f. T. ROBERTS. INFLATEYD ARTICLE.

APPLlcArloN FILED AuGis, 1917. 1,355,271.

Patented Oct. 12, 1920.

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F. T. ROBERTS.

L mmm) ARTICLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I6, 191A?. 1,355, yPatented Oct. 12, 1920.

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difficulties interfering with proper high UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED THoMAs RoBERTs, or CLEVELAND, oHIo, AssIGNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To PARAMCUNT RUBBER CONSOLIDATED, INC., or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

INELATED ARTICLE.

Application led August i6, 1917. Serial No. 1477.

To all whom #may concern:

Be it known that I, F RED THOMAS RoB- ERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Inflated Articles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptipn, ,reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 1;.

This invention relates to infiating valves and means for connecting them with the bladders Vfor foot balls, basket balls, punching bagsland the like, 'and the essential object is to provide a simple, effective inflatf ing valve and bladder connection therefor which may be capable` of being cheaply manufactured and convenien ly used.

Usually the bladders forl su articles have been provided with a long, flexible stem through which the bladder is inflated-and which may be bent upon itself and tied to retain the air. These tubes present several pressure of inflation and with the neat and proper lacing of the article. Auccordingly,

a more specific object of this invention is to avoid the objections referred to by using i a short, metallic valve and so constructing the bladder that it may receive the valve body and be conveniently lsecured theretoin an airftight manner, with-the valve projecting but slightly beyond the usual flap for closing the laced opening in the article casing.

The provision of a short metallic projecting but a short distance from the Vbladder h s been a matter ofv considerable experiment and patents have been issued for various methods of accomplishing this. However, generally speaking, these have all met with Ithe objection of great difficulty in securing the valve to the bladder and in making the valve, small enough to avoid affecting the balance of the article and still provide for firmly securing the same. Most of such attempts have resulted in providing a valve and bladder connection which is so expensive as to be prohibitive for commercial use.

Still another object is the adaptation of'` tion ofj nal pressure withoutldanger of bursting the bladder at the lace opening. The usual form of pear-shaped punching bag laces Specification of Lettrs Patent. Patented 06h 12, 1920. v

well toward thetop, but right at the top is left an opening not closed or protected by a flap. In accomplishing-the above object,

lI arrange the flap to inclose'the bladder and provide this protection and still not inter- `fere with kthe proper and convenient lacing n of the bag casing.

My invention will be hereinafter more 'l fully described in connection with the acfcompanying drawings, and the essentiall characterlstics summarizedin the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is avplan or elevation of a foot ball sli-wing the lacing der in position but before tightening and securing Athe lacing; Fig. 3 is aside elevaa bladder showing my inflating valve and the y. connection therefor; F ig. '.4

is a section through the valve connection on the bladder with the valveremoved; Fig. 5

is a plan of the same.; Fig. 6 is a section through the valve connection and valve when in position; Fig. `7 is aside elevation of a punching bag equipped with my invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the upper' portion thereof, the, lacing opening being spread and the lacing-removed for clearness of illustration; Fig. 9 is a perspective view ,of the same. after inflationand complete lacing; Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section on a Still further enlarged scale showing the novel arrangement ofthe flap v coperative with my valve arrangement'and protecting the upper end of the bladder; ig. 11 is a section at right angles to the plane of Fig. l0 cut-through the valve and upper portion of .the bladder.

ADescribing the parts bythe use of referenc'e characters, A indicates the usual lheavy leather casing of a foot ball. B indicates the' opening through which the bladder may be thrust to the interior thereof, 'C a series of large eyelets arranged in a row along each side of the opening, which is 'usually lreinforced, and D indicates the usual protective'ap secured atone side of the opening, as indicated at D1 and extending across the opening beneath the casing, as shown. f

l indicates'the usual foot ball bladder vwhich may be composed of a number of sections having seams 1*. This bladder is of the usual construction and is closed when the bladder.- I have overcome these difficulties by the present invention. After the bladder is formed and an opening provided, as indicated at lc I place overthis opening a. metal tubular member comprising a threaded tube portion 2O integral with an outwardly turned flange 2l fitting the normal shape of the bladder when-inflated and embraced by a comparatively heavy rubber patch having a tubular portion 23 closely fitting `the threaded metal tube and extending outwardly 'at 24 over the flange and adapted to be vulcanized to the rubber of the .A bladder along the meeting surfaces at 25;

The upper end of the threaded tube may be' flanged outwardly, as indicated at 26.

It will be seenf that, irrespective of the bladder construction the flanged ferrule or tube maybe secured to the bladder in an air tight 'manner by thearrangement described. In vulcanizing the bladder, soap stone or talc is used in the interior to keep the two sides of the bladder from sticking together.V

The bladder with this contained separator is laid flat in a pan of soap stone or talc and Y covered with similar material, and then the l'tracted at its lower end, asgindicated at 34, to provide a shoulderv against v.which a panis placed in a steam vulcanizer.

steam heats the bladder to a vulca izi-ng"K The temperature and presses downwardl on it, and thus forces the .hange 24 tightly against the body of the bladder and forces the sleeve portion 23 against the metal memberf20.

The result is that the metal tube is firmly affixed to the bladder. After vulcanization the powder in the'. interior is readily removed throu h the tube. 4 l

.The threadged metal tube 20 is adapted to 'receive the threaded exterior of :a Valve body 30 closely in the thradsand'having an enlargedyhead 31 adapted to stand opposite the flange 26, whereby it may rightly compress a' rubber washer 32 to form' an air tight joint vbetween the exterior ofthe valve body andthe bladder. The valve body is provided with a longitudinal passage consprmg 35may bear and act upwardly at the other end against afstar-shaped collar 36 on Vthe valve stem 37 integral with a valve head'38, thus normally compressing the rubber washer 39 between the 'head and the concave orvbeveled surface at the lower end of the valve body. The enlarged head 31 of the valve body is preferably threaded ered very ,ready'for play.

. the' Vbladder or pressing .and yet I may secure the desired length of valve body by allowing it to project into the interior of the bladder. The valve bodyv projecting into the interior of the bladder renders the vulcanization of any connection between the valve body and the bladder so.

difficult that it has heretofore been considimpractical to use bladdervvalves of this general character.

When the bladder is placed'in position within the casing the valve body and the outwardly projecting securingjmeans may extend through Can openingE in the flap Bj the lacing opening of the. casing and between the lacingI without projecting beyond the exterior of the casing when laced and Thus the bladder may be pladed' inside the foot ball casing and the valvdextended out -wardly through the flap opening and4 slightly inflated to hold the valve in this p0 sitionwhereupon the lacing may be drawn and into cutaway'notches F in the sides of tightly and secured, as shown in F ig. 1',`

thus entirely closing the casing, land the bladder may then be inflated to any pres-` sure desired without vdanger of bursting through the lacing opening. It will. be

' seen that this eliminates the diflicultyl of folding the usual soft rubber stem into the lacing opening after 'iniation Incidentally this-latterl difiiculty,prevents tightly inflat ing the article because, if it is too tightly inflated, there is not only danger of bursting the' bladder beforethe inflation is accomplished, but the heavy folded stem :cannot 'be thrust into the opening already bulging by the interior pressure.

Referring next to Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, G indicates a pear-shaped, leather casing of a punching bag arranged with an opening at the top for thrusting the bladder into the casing. Into this opening extend the ends of the usual strap S to which may be secured the suspending rope R. The top opening connects with a slit H extending some disA tance down the side of the bag. 'and at each side of the slit are eyelets C extending through a reinforced portion of the leather and adapted to receive the lacings L. Usually the bladder 20 iis protected from the lacing by a flap K secured to the casing be? low the slitand extending upwardly and free at its upper end after the manner of a ton ue in a shoe, while the upper nend of the ladder, shaped to conform to the bag, is fitted with a soft tubular extension projecting upwardly through the opening at the top of the bag and adapted when inflated vto be folded under the lacingi -foot-ball bladder, described, and then protect the upper end by a flap K, secured at K to the leather of the casing G along a ortion of the bag opposite the lacing slit.

his flap then extends over the top of the bladder and downwardly oppositethe lacing opening and also downwardly over each side of the upper end of the bladder, as illustrated in Fig. ll. The arrangement of the bladder connection and valve is of the form heretofore described and is not shown in detail; the external patch 24 and the tubular extension 23 however, appear in Figs. 10 and ll, this valve body projects upwardly through its embracing tube which occupies an opening K2 in theflap K, allowing the cap l2 or 40, with itsI screw driver slot or knurled exterior, to stand above the Hap, but

'not high enough to interfere with the knot of the rope and in no way interfering with Y the lacing.

Thus the bladder may be placed in position, inflated somewhat, and then the vbag may be laced. The parts would then have the position shown in Figs. 7, 9, 10 and 1l. The bag may then be additionally inflated to' any desired pressure without danger of bursting the bladder at its upper end and without any further work being required than merely placing the valve cap position. Heretofore it has been necessary 'to unlace-andlace the bag each time it is to be inflated or the interior pressure increased.v With the present construction it is only necessary to remove the valve cap, which-may be entirely omitted if desired. No difficulty is encountered in placing the bladder'in the bag or removing it, asI the flap K can merely be lifted upwardly to ag position in no way .obstructing the openingV in the bag.

A Having thus described my invention,l what 1 claim is:

1. In an article having a iiexible casingv andan inflating bladder, the combination of" a soft rubber tubular 'member having a laterally extendingv fiangel adapted to be vulcanized to the bladder around an opening therein, whereby the tubular portion may project outwardly from the bladder wall, and a ferrule of metal closely embraced by said tubular portion, and a valve body occupyinsaid ferrule.

2. vhe combination of av bladder having an opening, a ferrule having aflange surrounding the opening and fitting against the bladder wall, a securing member comprising a patch overlapping the flange and -lying contiguous with the bladder wall and vulcanized thereto, said ferrule having threads, a valve body having coperating threads and adapted to close the be carried by sald ferrule.-

8. The combination of a bladder' having `an opening, a ferrule having a flange surrounding the opening and fitting against the bladder wall, a securing member comprising a patch overlapping the flange and lying contiguous with the bladderwall and vulcanized thereto, said ferrule having threads, a valve body having coperating threads and adapted to close the opening and be carried by said ferrule, said ferrule having a shoulder at its outervend, the valvel body having an opposing shoulder, and a washer adapted to be/clamped between said shoulders to form an air-tight connection.

4. In an inflatedarticle having a casing provided with an opening, a portion of which may be closed by lacing, the combination of4 a bladder fitting the casing, 'a valve fory the bladder at the opening, a rubber tubular member'vulcanized to the bladder and surrounding the valve, a ferrule secured to the interior of said tubular member and a flap secured to said casin opposite the lacing and extending aroun the exposed portion of the bladderrand under the'lacing and having an opening through which the valve extends.

5. 1n an article having a iexible casing and an iniiating bladder, the combination of a soft rubber member having an extending skirt vulcanized to the bladder aroundan opening therein and having a tubular portion, a ferrule surrounded by the tubular portion Hand secured thereto, a valve body adaptedto occupy the ferrule, and means for making an air-tight connection between the valve body and ferrule. j

l6. In anv article having a flexible casing and an iniating bladder, the combination of a soft rubber member having an extending skirt vulcanized to the bladder around an opening therein and having a tubular portion and afvalve body surrounded by the tubular portion, a ferrule for making the connection between the'tubular portion and the valve body, said ferrulebeing secured in an air-tight manner to the tubular' portion.

7. Inv an article having a flexible casing and. an (infiating bladder', the combination opening and of a soft rubber member `having an extendthe tubular portion, and means for making ing skirt vulcanized to the bladder around an opening therein and having a tubular portion and a valve body surrounded by a connection between the tubular portion and the valve body, and a metal. ferrule forming a 'connection between the latter tubular portion and the valve body, said ferrule withinthe tubular po-rtion possessing an internal thread coacting with an external thread on the Valve body.

8. In an article having a flexible casing and an inflating bladder, the combination of a soft rubber member having an extending skirt vulcanized to the bladder around an opening therein -and having a tubular portion and a valve body surrounded by the tubular portion, and means for making a connection between the tubular-portion and the valve body, and a metal ferrule forming a connection betweenA the tubular portion and the valve body, Said ferrule being internally threaded and having also a laterally extending flange which lies between the rubber skirt and the bladder body..

9. The combination with a bladder having an opening, of an internally threaded metal ferrule registering with the opening and vhaving a lateral flange adapted to lie along side of the bladder, and a rubber patch overlying said flange and vulcanized to the bladder and having a tubular por#v tion surrounding and embracing said ferrule.V f

10. In a punching bag and similar articles, the combination of a casing having an opening, a lacing for closing the opening, a bladder fitting the casing, a valve for the bladder, a rubber'pat'ch secured to the bladder and having a tubularportion surrounding` the valve, means for making a connection between thei tubular portion and i the valve body, and a support for the casingV at one end thereof.

11. In apunching bag, the combination hof a pear-shaped casing'having an opening at its small end with aslit extending down` the side and adapted to beoclosed by lacing, a bladder fitting the casing and having a tubular extension and a flap secured to the casing adapted to extend overthe exposed end of the bladder and under the lac- 'rule said valve may project. l

12. The combination, with a flexible air container having an opening,`a rubber patch secured to the container around the 'opening and having an outwardly extending tubular portion, a ferrule occupying the tubular portion and secured thereto, andv a valve" body occupyingl the ferrule.-

13. The combination, with a flexible air container having an opening, 'a rubber patch secured to the exterior of the container around the opening and having an outwardly extending tubular portion, a feroccupying the tubular portion' and Secured thereto, and a valve body occupying the ferrule, said valve body being externally threaded and engaging internal threads on the ferrule.

14. The combination, with a flexible air container having-an opening, a rubber patch securedto the exterior of the container around the opening and having an outwardly extending tubular portion, .a ferrule occupying the tubular -portion' and secured thereto, said ferrule having an outwardly extending flange lying between the container and said patch.

15. The combination, with a flexible air container having an opening, a rubber patch secured tothe container around the opening and having an outwardly extending tubular portion, a ferrule occupying the tubular portion andsecured thereto, said ferrule having an outwardly extending flange at itsf upper end,` and means for compressing a gasket against said flange.

16. The combination, with a flexible ai 90 thereto, said ferrule having an outwardly extending flangeat its upper end, a valve body occupying the ferrule,'said valve body having an'overhanging outwardflange, and a gasket between the latter flange and the flange of the ferrule. f

\ In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature. f l

FRED THOMAS ROBERTS. 

